Emerald Island Resort – A beautiful resort, right next to Disney World

In honor of Valentines Day, the chefs at Disney’s Turf Club at the Saratoga Springs Resort shared the recipe for their Chocolate Espresso Torte on the Disney blog.

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Disney’s Turf Club Chocolate Espresso Torte

Makes one 9-inch torte

1 1/2 sticks butter, softened, plus additional softened butter for greasing pan
3/4 cup sugar, plus additional sugar for dusting pan
12 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
5 eggs at room temperature, beaten
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup prepared espresso

Chocolate Ganache:
4 ounces semisweet chocolate
1 stick softened butter
Vanilla ice cream, optional

For Torte:
Preheat oven to 300º with oven rack in middle position. Wrap a 9-inch springform pan in plastic wrap, then wrap tightly with a layer of heavy-duty foil. Generously butter pan. Dust pan with sugar, tapping out excess. Place prepared pan in a roasting pan; set aside.

Combine 3/4 cup sugar and prepared espresso in a small saucepan over medium heat. Heat, stirring, until sugar is dissolved. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes.

Place chocolate in a large bowl set over a large saucepan of barely simmering water (do not allow bottom of bowl to touch water). Stir occasionally until just melted. Add butter by the tablespoonful, stirring until combined. Stir in espresso syrup and vanilla extract. Set aside to cool slightly, 4 to 5 minutes. Gently stir in eggs until combined.

Pour batter into prepared springform pan. Pour boiling-hot water into roasting pan until it reaches three-quarters of the way up the of springform pan. Bake until center of torte is almost set, but still wobbles just slightly, about 45 to 50 minutes.

Transfer torte to a wire rack to cool completely. Refrigerate, covered, for 8 hours or overnight.

For Ganache:
Place chocolate in a medium bowl set over a medium saucepan of simmering water (do not allow bottom of bowl to touch water). Stir occasionally until melted. Set aside to cool slightly, 3 to 4 minutes. Add butter by the tablespoonful, stirring until combined and glossy. Use immediately.

To Serve:
Run a thin knife along edge of chilled torte, and remove springform pan ring. Set torte on a wire rack set over a sheet pan. Pour ganache over torte, a bit at a time, spreading with a rubber or offset spatula to cover top. Allow excess to drip down sides, if desired. Place torte on a platter or sheet pan lined with parchment paper, and refrigerate until set, approximately 2 hours. Serve with vanilla ice cream, if desired.

For Miniature Heart-Shaped Tortes:
Cut individual tortes from large torte using a heart-shaped cutter. Carefully dip each heart into ganache using two forks, letting excess drip off. Set hearts on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper, and refrigerate until set, approximately 2 hours. Serve with vanilla ice cream, if desired.

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Looks yummy!

–Kay
- Providing special vacation home rentals and advice for over 5 years to families and friends wanting to make the most of their time and money while visiting Walt Disney World.
- Windsor Palms Resort Vacation Rental http://www.windsorpalmsorlando.com
- Emerald Island Resort Vacation Rental http://www.emeraldislandorlando.com

(Paul Hiffmeyer/Disneyland)

Early June 2010 sees the return of Disney’s Main Street Electrical Parade to the Magic Kingdom. Since 2001, this amazing parade has been seasonally wowing guests at Disneyland in Anaheim. Part of the 2010 ‘Summer Nightastic’, Disney’s Main Street Electrical Parade is sure to be a big hit. Tinkerbell will lead the parade in a magical balloon float. Pinocchio and Snow White also join the parade this year in new floats.

If you have not seen this parade before, make the time to do so. It is well worth it, certainly a magical parade to watch.

–Kay
- Providing special vacation home rentals and advice for over 5 years to families and friends wanting to make the most of their time and money while visiting Walt Disney World.
- Windsor Palms Resort Vacation Rental http://www.windsorpalmsorlando.com
- Emerald Island Resort Vacation Rental http://www.emeraldislandorlando.com

Do you plan to welcome the New Year at one of the Disney Parks?  If so there’s a lot to choose from this year — nine parade performances and five fireworks shows. If that lineup has your attention, here are the New Year’s Eve details broken down by park:
Magic Kingdom

• “Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It!” parade and street party (11 a.m., 2 and 5:15 p.m.)
• “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade” (12 noon and 3:30 p.m.)
• “SpectroMagic” parade of lights and music (7 and 10:30 p.m.)
• “Holiday Wishes” fireworks (8:30 p.m.)
• “Fantasy in the Sky” fireworks (11:50 p.m.)
• Park hours on New Year’s Eve: 8 a.m.-2 a.m.

Epcot

• Special version of “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” (7:30 and 11:40 p.m.)
• Park hours on New Year’s Eve: 9 a.m.-1 a.m.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• “Fantasmic!” nighttime musical special effects extravaganza (6:30, 8 and 10 p.m.)
• Live performances by in-park band “Mulch, Sweat and Shears,” back-to-back with a DJ at Mickey’s Sorcerer’s Hat. (Mulch, Sweat and Shears sets are 8, 9, 10 and 11 p.m.; DJ starts at 6:30 p.m.)
• A special “Lights, Camera, Happy New Year” fireworks show starring Mulch, Sweat and Shears (11:55 p.m.)
• Park hours on New Year’s Eve: 8 a.m.-midnight

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

• “Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade” (4:45 p.m.)
• Park hours on New Year’s Eve: 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

Bay Lake And Seven Seas Lagoon

• The Electrical Water Pageant (9 p.m.; plays to Magic Kingdom entrance area at 10:25 p.m.)

Note: Show times and entertainment are subject to change without notice.

–Kay
- Providing special vacation home rentals and advice for over 5 years to families and friends wanting to make the most of their time and money while visiting Walt Disney World.
- Windsor Palms Resort Vacation Rental http://www.windsorpalmsorlando.com
- Emerald Island Resort Vacation Rental http://www.emeraldislandorlando.com

Guests staying at the Emerald Island Resort in Kissimmee over New Year, you may be interested in two offerings at The Magic Kingdom.

New Years Eve at Walt Disney World is traditionally a busy time.  This year, The Magic Kingdom is offering two options for guests to take a break from the crowds and enjoy an exclusive event.

The first is a special New Years Eve package which includes a 2 hour all you care to enjoy dinner.  The dinner is from 6.30 p.m. - 8.30 p.m. on December 31st at the Tommorrowland Terrace Noodle Station. Dinner includes dessert and non-alcolohic sparkling beverages. After dinner, you and your family will settle down in exclusive, reserved seating for the holiday Wishes! fireworks show.

The menu includes fresh fruits, assorted cheeses, sushi, salads, seared tuna, artisan breads, beef short-ribs, and carved pork. Kid friendly foods such as macaroni and cheese and chicken nuggets will also be available.

The Magic Kingdom’s New Year’s Eve Wishes! dining experience costs $139.99 for guests age 10 and up and $69.99 for guests ages 3 to 9. Children under 3 can dine for free.

The second offering is the Fantasy in the Sky Dessert Party which starts at 9.50pm.  This event features a self service buffet offering a variety of deserts and non-alcoholic beverages.  The dessert party costs $35.99 for guests age 10 and up and $19.99 for guests ages 3 to 9.

Theme park admission is required for both events.

For reservations call: (407) WDW-DINE

Staying at Emerald Island Resort? MNSSHP is a great family event.

If you are visiting the Emerald Island Resort in October. Its a great time to visit with cooler temperatures and smaller crowds than in summer time.

Throughout the month of October, there are plenty of events to get you in the mood for Halloween.

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at The Magic Kingdom is open select evenings during October. Join Mickey, Minnie and friends for some family friendly Halloween fun, special Halloween fireworks and parade. Come dressed in costume (or not) and join in the fun. This event has a separate entry ticket.

Seaworld’s Halloween Spooktacular is another family friendly Halloween event that runs weekends in October. Kids are welcome to come dressed in costume and trick or treat for ghoulish goodies, catch spooky shows and meet amazing sea creatures. Seaworld’s Halloween Spooktacular is included with park admission. Take a look at their spooktacular website for some ghoulish crafts and games.

Not for the feint of heart are Halloween Horror Nights at Universal. On select nights Universal Studios Florida theme park is transformed into a nightmarish labyrinth of haunted houses, outrageous live shows, and electrifying scare zones while an army of mutants, monsters and maniacs roam the darkened studio streets.

From professional to passionate! Located in the town of Davenport, about 30 minutes from Emerald Island / Orlando finds The Bludzwurth Casket & Urn Company. This is a family passion and not a huge corporation event fueled by profits. For a modest donation, you can walk through the The Bludzwurth Casket & Urn Company on the 30^th and 31^st of October when the Doctor is in!

What about All Hallow’s eve itself? If visiting the area and you want to go trick or treating on October 31^st, try the town of Celebration. Its a real treat! From traditional door to door trick or treating to a haunted walking trail, Celebration has something to offer the whole family.  The Trail of Nightmares haunted walking trail is new to Celebration this year. The proceeds benefit a local charity.

Fall is upon us and soon it will be Halloween.  But in Orlando, Halloween goes on for most of October (and for a little of September as well).

What kind of Halloween do you and your family like?  If you have teenagers, then you may be interested in Universal Studio’s offering “Halloween Horror Nights“.  As the name suggests, Halloween Horror Nights is not for the feint of heart, but if you like to be scared witless, then you will probably enjoy it.  It is a separate  ticketed event held on certain nights in October (usually Thursday - Sunday) and is promoted as “the best in the business” “the ultimate halloween horror experience”.   Universal Studios is open for business as usual during the day so you can still plan your regular day visit to Universal, but you will see the sets and decorations for the Halloween Horror Nights.   Regular tickets are $69.99 plus tax, but Universal are offering a frequent fear pass - 13 nights for the price of on which may work out better value for you if you are staying in the area a while.

Obviously that is not an option if you have younger children.  Thankfully there are other altenatives.

For Disney fans, you have “Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party”  also known as “MNSSHP”.  Again, this is an after hours ticketed event.  It is held at the Magic Kingdom and is halloween with a sprinkle of pixie dust!  There is a special parade, fireworks, costumed characters.  Trick or Treats stations are set up around the park as well as some craft activities.  Most of the rides are open and on most days there is usually little wait for the rides.  Kids and adults are encouraged to dress up.  There are very few times that the whole family can dress up and wander round The Magic Kingdom - get into the spirit of it and enjoy!  We did!

Just a few things of note.

• If you plan to visit The Magic Kingdom on a day that MHSSHP is scheduled, the park is closed early to guests without event tickets.  Take that into account when planning your day.
• Prepare for a late night!  MNSSHP finishes at midnight.  By the time you get back to Emerald Island, it will be at least half an hour later, if not more.  I recommend planning a lazy day for the next day - no early morning starts for the parks!
• MNSSHP is scheduled to start at 7.00 p.m. but in previous years other guests have reported being able to get into The Magic Kingdom at 4pm - this essentially allows you to have an extra few hours of Disney fun.  Its worth checking with Disney if this is still available.

We took our two children and our neice and nephew one year and had a great time.  We walked on to almost all of the rides with no more than a 5 minute wait.  Yes, we did dress up, and it was great fun.  The kids had a great time and all managed to stay awake until midnight (with the exception of our youngest daughter who was only 5 weeks old at the time!).  I just wish I had known about being able to get in earlier than 7pm when we went.

Find out more about MNSSHP here and here.

Our last spooky park is Seaworld’  During October, they hold their Halloween Spooktacular.  Unlike the other two offerings, Seaworld’s Halloween Spooktacular is included in your regular park entry ticket.

They also offer Count Von Count’s Spooktacular Breakfast - a character breakfast with your favorite Sesame Street Characters.